Baden-Württemberg: Smoldering fire in the nuclear power plant: No consequences for the environment

Philippsburg (dpa / lsw) - In the decommissioned nuclear power plant in Philippsburg (Karlsruhe district), a smoldering fire broke out during dismantling work - according to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, there were no dangers to humans or the environment.

Baden-Württemberg: Smoldering fire in the nuclear power plant: No consequences for the environment

Philippsburg (dpa / lsw) - In the decommissioned nuclear power plant in Philippsburg (Karlsruhe district), a smoldering fire broke out during dismantling work - according to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, there were no dangers to humans or the environment. Accordingly, there had been flying sparks when working with a cut-off grinder. The smoldering fire was noticed because smoke was escaping from an expansion joint in the ceiling in the engine house. The plant fire brigade extinguished the fire.

The event was classified as a so-called reporting category N (normal report) and INES 0 (no or very little safety-related significance). Since the machine house is a controlled area, the operator examined the extinguishing water. No radioactive substances were detected. The exhaust air and environmental monitoring did not show any abnormalities either. The work in the engine house could be continued.

The energy supplier EnBW has been dismantling Block 1 in Philippsburg since May 2017. The kiln went into operation in 1979. Block 2 has also been in dismantling since 2020. The last nuclear power plant of the Karlsruhe group that is still supplying electricity is Neckarwestheim 2 in the district of Heilbronn, which must be taken off the grid by mid-April at the latest as part of Germany's decision to phase out nuclear energy.